6


Issue 7 2019 - Freight Business Journal


///NEWS


Virgin and Delta open high tech Heathrow hub


Virgin Atlantic Cargo and Delta Cargo have opened their new joint export facility at London Heathrow - the first phase of a programme to double cargo handling capacity at the airport.


for temperature-controlled and perishables


cargoes; special


facilities for dangerous goods and live animal shipments; new X-ray technology with enhanced imaging capability, reducing


hand-held technology also provides instant


freight status


update messages for customers to confirm their cargo is being handled and flown as planned. Screens


inside the facility,


linked directly to the airlines’ operations control centres, enable flight monitoring and the management of service level agreements. Delta Cargo’s managing


The new Dnata City East


facility offers 18 customer delivery doors, double the amount previously; an expanded ETV (Elevated Transfer Vehicle), capable of


full automation, with 245


pallet positions, which enables the loading of flights in ‘trim order’; high-rise racking with 1,350 positions for storing export freight, eliminating unnecessary movements of shipments; a dedicated pharma zone and increased capacity


the need for secondary cargo screening; and internal and external high-definition CCTV systems. The new facility also


features the Gatehouse concept, meaning arriving drivers no longer need to leave their vehicles to complete documentation processes and are immediately assigned to a cargo door. Drivers also receive text message updates. Real-time acceptance using the operation’s door management system and


director – operations and customer experience - Rafael Figueroa said: “These world- class expanded facilities position us for success in this important market. The technology enhancements and the transparency across the export operation, with increased temperature-controlled facilities, are designed to make it easier for our customers to work with both airlines.” Virgin Atlantic, director of


cargo operations, Tania Boyes, added: “We now have an export operation at our main UK hub which is designed around the current and future needs of our business, and which will further improve customer experience. By embracing new technology and ways of working, the building gives us the capacity to grow efficiently as we enter the next exciting phase of expansion.”


Virgin publishes Heathrow wish list


Virgin Atlantic says it plans to challenge IAG’s dominance at London Heathrow and significantly increase its long haul, domestic and European routes when the airport expands. The carrier says it could


deliver a step change in choice for passengers and cargo customers, “but only if the Government reforms the way new Heathrow slots are allocated to enable the creation of a second flag carrier at the airport”. There would be a fourfold


increase in Virgin Atlantic’s current international network including currently unserved destinations such as Kolkata, Jakarta and Panama City, as well as more services on prime cargo routes such as Accra, Austin, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Osaka, Raleigh Durham and San Diego. The


call comes as the


Government published its Aviation Strategy Green Paper


which aims to allocate additional Heathrow capacity to facilitate effective competition between airlines and connectivity to destinations that are currently underserved or unserved. Rules governing the allocation of new slots are currently being reviewed by the Government and Virgin Atlantic warns that they must be allocated in a way that enables the development of a second flag carrier with the necessary scale to compete effectively with IAG. Virgin Atlantic cargo


managing director, Dominic Kennedy, said: “Our volumes grew 6% in 2018 to their highest level since 2010 and we know customers would give us a bigger share of their business if they had the choice. At this pivotal moment for the UK economy, it is vital that our cargo customers as well as manufacturers, importers and exporters have access to the widest choice of routes and services and enjoy all the benefits that fair competition


brings. The changes we are calling for will deliver this.” Virgin says that IAG currently


dominates Heathrow, holding more than 55% of all the take-off and landing slots, with no other airline holding more than 5% of the remaining slots. IAG and its joint venture partners operate 77 monopoly routes, it says. Virgin


Atlantic’s first


flight to Tel Aviv meanwhile touched down at Ben Gurion International on 25 September. The new daily Airbus A330-300 flights offer 20 tonnes of cargo capacity to and from London Heathrow as well as connections with the US, Israel’s biggest trading partner. Cargo capacity out of Israel is being marketed by GSSA WTA Aviation with Swissport is providing cargo handling services in Tel Aviv. Virgin Atlantic will also


recommence daily London- Mumbai services and, in early 2020, will begin its first operation in South America with a new daily London-Sao Paulo route.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40